"It was a game where honours were
shared. They've got the point that they desperately needed, we haven't
lost to a very good football team and a big club and I'm satisfied that
our players have given the public a game which they've quite enjoyed.

"They can be quite proud of their
team, and that was very important to us. Had we not got a great
performance from every player, we would have lost the game, but we got
from every single player a great performance."

Speaking about his outburst on Monday, he said:

"I had a bit of a go yesterday,
but it was just how I felt. I could be saying things now, but I had the
strength and the will and the honesty to say it before tonight.

"We could have lost 3-0 here and
it would have been very difficult for me to say anything. I'll fight tooth
and nail for every player in this club and for this club in this part of
the world.

"If I feel I have to challenge
people, I'll challenge because my heart is with the club and anyone who
isn't, I'm against."

"That one was
for you."

"That was
important for us - I recognise the support that the public give the team,
I welcome that and I am very proud of that.

"I was
engrossed in the game but from time to time you are aware of what is
coming out of the terraces. I am just pleased for the team."

"What has hurt
me and disappointed me is that we have not given our public what they
deserve and what they would have liked.

"We hope next
year we can reassemble. Obviously we have some injured players who we hope
will recover for the start of next season. Hopefully with a smallsummer shopping list we will get it right
for the start of next season and move on to phase two.

"I never lost
my spirit but it has been a difficult season for us.

Speaking about the
decision to play Glass rather than Quinn:

"I know all
about Wayne Quinn but I just wanted to have a look at Stephen Glass and
see what standard he is playing at now. Following this performance we have
to make some sort of decision on his future and so does he.

"I have given
him a game which has done him a favour - it's better for him to play in
the first team than sit on the sidelines. I've
had a good look at him, I've watched how he dealt with Arsenal and I
thought he did fine."

They Said

Arsene Wenger said:

"I'm personally very proud tonight because the
players have shown a great mental strength and a great professional
attitude"

"We were up for the game tonight because
Newcastle played a cup game. They closed down the ball and that's why I
believe we needed a lot of character, and that's why I'm very happy with
the performance of my players. We were in the quarter-finals of the
Champions' League and we were in the final of the FA Cup and we finished
runners-up, and that shows the huge quality of my team.

"But we are frustrated because
we want to be first in the championship and that's why we have to come
back to do better, but as well, we have not go to be ashamed of what we
have done this season. Every season is a new start and maybe Manchester
United will be buying new players.

"We'll try to buy new players.
We have to try to keep the players we have and then come back and try to
be stronger and more competitive with Man United."

Waffle

After Bobby's little outburst in the
pre-match buildup, the spotlight was always going to be on the crowd and
players, and for once a positive reaction from both was forthcoming.

Our well-documented squad shortcomings saw Robson keep faith with the side
that had recently been responsible for a mini-revival, albeit in a fairly
unattractive manner. One enforced change saw Acuna miss out due to a
tendon problem allowing Bassedas to make his 16th league start, while
makeshift midfielder Quinn was discarded to accommodate the swifter Glass.

The absence of Acuna certainly seemed to benefit Speed, who was far more
noticeable in midfield than of late, freed from the holding role that he
adopts when Clarence goes a' wandering forward. At fullback, Barton had
one of his "on" games, seemingly intent on single-handedly
silencing the doubters and obviously motivated to perform well against his
first professional club.

There remains a nagging doubt however
that the Gunners weren't firing on all cylinders, doing just enough to
hold on for the point that ensures Champs League participation for them
next season.

Regardless of that though, there was a generally positive feeling at half
time that we'd got some reward for our efforts with a nil-nil scoreline,
balanced against the fact that one or two of the Wenger boys weren't
totally focused and some decent moves were ruined by poor decisions -
shooting when a pass would have put our goal in real danger, for example.

The atmosphere had gradually improved as well, from the total indifference
that accompanied kickoff and the low murmur of voices more akin to an
evening at the theatre than a top league football match. One or two
pockets of fans raised their voices, including a hard core of around 50 at
the Leazes end of the East Stand, and their continued efforts gradually
spread around the stadium.

After the break, our renewed confidence and a slightly increased tempo
kept the fans in a more animated fettle than usual (and ultimately saw far
fewer early leavers than of late, something that the Radio 5 commentary
picked up on.) A slightly over-enthusiastic standing ovation for the
substituted Gallacher summed up the increased work rate of the crowd, and
numerous choruses of "One Bobby Robson" seemed to confirm
the general support that the manager enjoys is undiminished.

A slightly more belligerent attitude from the players and a willingness to
compete may have meant that the recent criticism and managerial riposte
had served a purpose in reminding them of the hopes they carry on their
shoulders. Had one of Cort's efforts or Shola's late chance gone in, the
welcome three points would have rounded the evening off marvelously, but
maybe masked our obvious shortcomings and given people a false picture. As
it was, our 9th clean sheet in the last 50 games wasn't too bad a
return.

We can only hope that Bobby was caught up
in his own invective after the game when he talked about keeping all the
players - we continue to be painfully short of goalscoring capacity up
front, lacking in midfield creativity and in need of a general injection
of pace.

With the combination of some decent
additions to the squad plus the injured ones returning, the younger
element forcing their way through the ranks, and a continuation of the
work ethic displayed tonight, the future might just look a little brighter
than in recent weeks. While we continue to "rebuild", the
leading lights of the Premiership forge ahead - witness the outfield
quality on the visiting bench tonight -
Ljungberg,
Wiltord, Grimandi and Kanu.

As far as Newcastle is concerned, some of
the raw materials are there, but the spark is required. Much work to be
done methinks, to even retain our mid-table position next season.

With one home game remaining before this
season is consigned to the memory banks, there was an air of affirmation
about the evening and something intangible being restored. A final day
victory would leave a better taste in the mouth.

PS - What price Adidas introducing next season's away strip in the style
of the day-glo orange affair modelled by one of the youth teams competing
in the half time seven a side games? The effect was absolutely stunning
under floodlights on a damp and gloomy evening. Imagine a strip fashioned
from the plastic reflective orange bit on the back of an old NCB donkey
jacket and you're getting close. It would probably show up on satellite
pictures.....